The media plays a vital role in the increase of terrorism activities because it gives terrorist activities a lot of coverage. Terrorist activities vary widely depending on the amount of attention they receive from the media. The media’s primary goal in terrorism is to be the first with the story. By covering the story, they are able to attract a wide range of audience which increases viewer rating and hence profits. Lewis suggests that, the media uses terrorism activities to gain popularity and thus there is a mutual beneficial relationship between it and terrorism (2005). Moreover, the media also covers terrorist activities in order to protect their ability to work securely in the society. They tend to cover all terrorist activities and their speech to the audience to avoid assault, threats and harassment from the terrorists during their operations.
Terrorists use the media as a weapon because it is the only vehicle available for them to communicate to their audience. Terrorists use the media for publicity; they use it to publicize their political causes, for communication among themselves and to explain to the world why they are involved in terrorism (Altheide, 2009). They use it to justify their acts of terrorism. They also aim to make the audience understand their cause and why they are involved in terrorism. In addition, terrorists use the media to search for legitimacy. They always want to be treated as legitimate world leaders and they can only communicate this through their only weapon; the media.
Terrorists use the media to seek favorable understanding of their cause whereby they want the audience to understand that their cause is just and terrorism is the course of action they are undertaking against the superior forces of the state they feel are evil. Another reason why they use the media is to destabilize the enemy by causing fear, anxiety and offering threats to them (Palmer, 2003). They use it to cause damage to their enemies through the threats they issue and through that, they will always have their way. Lastly, terrorists use the media for the benefit of their operational efficiency. It is also through the media that they gather information, recruit new terrorists, and fundraise for their terrorism activities.
References
Altheide, D. L. (2009). Terror Post 9/11 and the Media. New York: Peter Lang Press.
Lewis, M. (2005). Language Wars: The Role of Media and Culture in Global Terror and Political Violence. London: Pluto Press.
Palmer, N. (2003). Terrorism, War, and the Press. Texas: Hollis.
